liuzhou

Broil is an ancient word of uncertain origin but certainly not American; most probably French. It was used with the same meaning by Chaucer in the prologue to The Canterbury Tales around 1386, long before America was colonised although he wasn't first. Shakespeare also used it in 1613. I seriously doubt a truly exhaustive study of the regional uses of any of these words is feasible. Different people in some city apartment blocks could use all three to decribe the same process.

I figured out years ago how to deal with turkey and always follow my established method. This involves never buying it or eating it. There are much better meats. In fact most, if not all, meats are better.

It's not that simple. Both terms are used in different regions around the world including within the USA and Europe. Interestingly, the word 'barbecue' is American, having been borrowed from Haitian barbacòa; whereas 'grill' is borrowed from French, suggesting completely the opposite.

Talking of stollen, LIDL UK is set to equip staff with body cameras to help fight shoplifting and violence to staff. The rise of these ofences is thought to be linked to the cost of living crisis. More here.

First up, they are dead. They are packed in a jar containing water into which some of the formic acid has leached giving a vinegary, but not unpleasant taste. The suppliers suggest between 15 to 30 ants per dish, but don't say how large a dish. I'm guessing a family style dish, so this 15 to 30 could be eaten by maybe four people. Typical vague Chinese instructions. They do suggest 5 grams is adequate for one cup of ant and honey tea. I think they are sold more for making into home made tonic wine, where they are used in higher quantities. I won't be going that route. So, I reckon they'll last me the rest of my life. I haven't used them yet but will experiment and post my own recommendations soon.

Today, I took possession of 500 g or 1.1 lbs of 黑蚂蚁 (hēi mǎ yǐ), Chinese black ants, Polyhachis vicina Roger - as one does. These are found in the Changbai Mountains, a mountain range which forms the border between China and North Korea. These are said to be very nutritious, being high in protein, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, manganese and zinc, as well as Vitamins B, D, and E. They are widely used in TCM, in weight control, to boost the immune system, as an anti-inflammatory drug, as an anti-aging agent and even to treat cancer. Naturally, like everything else in TCM, they enhance one's sex life. Of course, there is no evidence of any therapeutic benefit that stands up to western scientific standards. They are also, less often, used just as food, being made into a hot drink with honey as well as being added to rice and congee or even to scrambled egg. They have a citrus-like flavour coming from their formic acid and are slightly crunchy. The flavour is quite strong so they are used sparingly. They are also used in black ant wine as mentioned in this post above . $9 USD for the 500 g. They are also available in North America. There is more information here. Ant omelette, anyone? Ant and chips?

Yes. They are used that way, but here in China they are described and used as "spice balls".

That's a fairly standard method with hard whole spices in many cuisines. Alternatively you could use one of thee spice balls which would more allow the spices to be in contact with the oil.

I agree with your first sentence 100%. However, there is a difference between adding ice and adding water. Temperature. In every pub in Scotland room temperature water is supplied automatically. Ice is frowned on. I tend to take blended whisky neat, but will add a drop of water to a decent malt. I have little experience of American whiskeys.

Of all the delivery meal I've been existing on for months, this was the least travelled. The restaurant is 357 metres / ¼ mile from my home. I could walk there in 3 minutes when I used to be able to walk. It's what you probably know as Kung-po Chicken, a term unknown here. It's 宫保鸡丁 (gōng bǎo jī dīng). This dish comes in several forms, even in Sichuan, its birthplace. But usually spicier than I've ever found in the west and richer in fresher Sichan peppercorns. This wasn't the best I've had, but not bad. With rice, of course. $2.50 USD.

香菇肉片 (xiāng gū ròu piàn), shiitake sliced pork. Also contained fresh green chillies, red chillies, Chinese celery, onion, soy sauce and Shaoxing wine. Served with rice.

Then sell it by the glass on the roadside and use the profits to buy beer! Brilliant suggestion!

To my astonishment, when I was sitting at home minding my own business, at 8pm, two kilos of lemons knocked on my door! By examining the delivery note attached I knew which city they came from and narrowed the possible senders down to two friends in that city. I called the first, an old and close friend, and bingo! I thanked her for her generosity and she said she just asked the farm to send them and they cost her nothing. She is a professor of anthropology in the university in that city and in July, took eight of her students on a field trip to their lemon farm and they said if she ever needed some lemons just to let them know. What lemons have to do with anthropology, I have no idea. I have no idea what I'm going to do with two kilos of lemons. 2x1 kg boxes of lemons + the toe half of my right foot.

I'm putting this here as, although not technically the fruit, it is from a fruit tree. We are looking at 桃胶 (táo jiāo), peach gum or peach tree gum. This is the sap of the tree and is used in Chinese sweet soups and desserts especially with silver ear fungus. It arrives looking like the above. Around the size of a large raisin or larger and sticky but rock hard. These lumps require soaking overnight and then being boiled for 30 miutes before use. Post soaking preboiling They are considered to have numerous health benefits, but they say that about everything here. Not however, recommended for pregnant women or children under eight. Much more information and recipes here.

Well, my Clamato arrived Sunday evening. Yet to experiment, but will not be making the suggested Michelada recipe on the bottle. Tomato,Wooster Soss, and clams in my beer? How drunk were they when they thought that one up.

越式香茅烧牛肉三明治 (yuè shì xiāng máo shāo niú ròu sān míng zhì ), Vietnamese Lemongrass Roast Beef Bánh Mì. I wish they wouldn't slice them like that. I've never been served them like that in Vietnam.

Last night. Pizza Margherita, according to the vendor. Not what me or any Italian would call Margherita. Opening the box, I found this. Yup! Cherry Tomatoes. No basil. Then I spotted a small bag packaged seperately. Arugula/rocket. It wasn't bad but a Margherita? No!

I do something similar with pasta or Chinese noodles but using chipsticks instead of tongs.

Sorry, but as noted under my name, I am in China. The power here is 240V as in most of Asia and Europe. Also, any specific models I could recommend would probably not be available to you.

I haven’t been posting much in this topic recently, mainly because I have been eating lots of repeats of stuff I’ve posted before. Also because I’m still on my delivery diet and, although, my choice is so wide, I’m bored of it. However, tonight I found something which I’ve eaten before, but years ago and have never posted here. This is 雪里蕻肉沫 (xuě lǐ hóng ròu mò) or snow mustard minced pork. 雪里蕻(xuě lǐ hóng) is a type of leaf mustard, often also called by the homophonic name 雪里红 (xuě lǐ hóng). One of my my favourite doses of healthy greens Served as usual, with rice. Real tasty comfort food.

Finally found a Clamato purveyor which only advertises stuff they actually have. It's on its way and should be in my hands over the weekend.

...and I might be eating it for breakfast.

It gets worse. I read that Luosifen (螺蛳粉 - luó sī fěn) has been recognised by the Guinness World Records for coming up with the world's largest pack of instant noodles. It measures 1.20 m (3 ft 11.24 in) long, 1.32 m (4 ft 3.97 in) high and 1.18 m (3 ft 10.46 in). There is no end to their stupidity ingenuity? For the full story, click on the image.